O'Connor's Kendall Groff remembers when things seemed as if they were moving at 100 mph.

That was a month ago, and Groff, a senior outside hitter playing her first varsity season, was trying to find her way. Her team, likewise, was also dealing with its own growing pains.

Both showed just how far they've come in a short time during the No. 5 Panthers' 25-17, 22-25, 25-21, 25-19 victory over Warren in District 27-5A action Wednesday at Taylor Field House.

O'Connor (25-7, 6-0 district) extended its lead in 27-5A to 1½ games over Warren (13-14, 4-1), Clark (13-13, 4-1) and Taft (22-4, 4-1).

“Everyone just helps each other be better,” said Groff, who had 10 kills. “That's what I loved about our team.”

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That much has been the case the last three weeks for the Panthers, who have won 21 of their last 24 matches after a 4-4 start.

“We're really jelling,” O'Connor's Brianna Sotello said. “The practices are always really good. Warren's a very good team, so we knew that we had to be mentally prepared.”

With Sotello (21 kills and 18 digs) leading the way, O'Connor started and finished strong, displaying resolve during the match's critical moment to come out on top.

Warren, which was paced by Laycia Robinson (15 kills, five blocks, two aces) and Shaina Garza (13 kills, 16 digs), won Game 2 to even the match at 1-1.

The Warriors then jumped to an 8-1 advantage in Game 3 before O'Connor rallied. The Panthers tied it at 16, trailed again at 18-16, tied it again at 18, then scored seven of the final 10 points to win.

“We have a drill (in practice) called ‘sequence,' and that's where the other team is ahead and we just have to be mentally strong, and have to come back and take on those obstacles,” Groff said. “The drills we've done in practice have helped all of us be ‘mental' players.”

In the decisive final frame, Warren trailed by as many as six early but rallied to get within 19-17 on a kill from Robinson. O'Connor closed on a 6-2 run to prevail.

“We're going to watch and review (the tape) and work on the things in practice for the next time to be ready for,” Warren coach Brandace Boren said. “Hopefully, we'll get a rematch with them in the second round (of district play).”